I guess in theory there are a few open spots... but in practice, those positions are already filled. Klein isn't going to be knocked off the roster mainly because of his contract status and because we've been holding him back for too long already. Jones and Hörnqvist are both pegged as top six forwards, er, going forward.

The only guy who MIGHT not make the roster is Pillu, and I think he would have to be pretty bad to not make the team in light of the Ortmeyer injury...

"Joining them could be young guns who either have little or no experience at the NHL level. Twenty-six-year-old Ville Koistinen, who saw 48 games with the team last season, looks to be the fifth defenseman and power play specialist. The final spot is where it could get really tricky. The initial thinking is that it will be 23-year-old Kevin Klein, who has paid his dues and is ready to make the final jump. But that will all depend on how the suddenly emerging Alexander Sulzer, 24, and talented Cody Franson, 21, do in camp. If either one can show they have what it takes, they could take the spot. "

(1) DeVries (2) Hamhuis, (3) Koistinen (4) Suter (5) Weber (6) Zannon

... uh

Klein can hope "to make the final jump" but it will take a Koistenen flop, injury or trade.

"Joining them could be young guns who either have little or no experience at the NHL level. Twenty-six-year-old Ville Koistinen, who saw 48 games with the team last season, looks to be the fifth defenseman and power play specialist. The final spot is where it could get really tricky. The initial thinking is that it will be 23-year-old Kevin Klein, who has paid his dues and is ready to make the final jump. But that will all depend on how the suddenly emerging Alexander Sulzer, 24, and talented Cody Franson, 21, do in camp. If either one can show they have what it takes, they could take the spot. "

(1) DeVries (2) Hamhuis, (3) Koistinen (4) Suter (5) Weber (6) Zannon

... uh

Klein can hope "to make the final jump" but it will take a Koistenen flop, injury or trade.

Relative to the rest of that group and to Kevin Klein, Greg Zanon blows. Unless he's been borrowing Fiddler's "Trotz with a goat" pictures, odds are good Klein will take his spot.

To me he is the Jed Ortmeyer of d-men (Jed the Pred not the Jed that NYR fans told us about). I don't dislike him, he just is what he is. Klein already brings more to the table-- I can't believe his head didn't explode every time Zanon suited up and he sat in the press box.

Zanon is solid. I'd rather have him as the 6th man than Klein. He is WAYYY better than Ortmeyer at their relative positions. I don't think you all realize how valuable blocking shots can be. 1 out of 10 shots on net go in. If he blocks 300 shots per year, thats 30 goals against he prevents. I know these are just rough estimates, but you get the idea. He's a perfect role player. Although he did stuggle a little bit towards the end of last season, maybe this is the picture you all still have of him in your head.

That being said, its a shame to see Klein rot away in the press box. I really want to see what this kid is capable of.

Zanon is solid. I'd rather have him as the 6th man than Klein. He is WAYYY better than Ortmeyer at their relative positions. I don't think you all realize how valuable blocking shots can be. 1 out of 10 shots on net go in. If he blocks 300 shots per year, thats 30 goals against he prevents. I know these are just rough estimates, but you get the idea. He's a perfect role player. Although he did stuggle a little bit towards the end of last season, maybe this is the picture you all still have of him in your head.

That being said, its a shame to see Klein rot away in the press box. I really want to see what this kid is capable of.

Zanon is a great 6th/7th guy. The problem is, he is too inconsistent on the PK nor does he have the offensive talent/speed to warrant sitting Klein again. To be honest, I thought Klein earned the roster spot 3 years ago over Zanon, but we took the easy route and sent down Klein......I like Greg, but its time to give Klein a roster spot.

Wow look at all the Zanon hate...
Zanon is solid. I'd rather have him as the 6th man than Klein. He is WAYYY better than Ortmeyer at their relative positions. I don't think you all realize how valuable blocking shots can be. 1 out of 10 shots on net go in. If he blocks 300 shots per year, thats 30 goals against he prevents. I know these are just rough estimates, but you get the idea. He's a perfect role player. Although he did stuggle a little bit towards the end of last season, maybe this is the picture you all still have of him in your head.

That being said, its a shame to see Klein rot away in the press box. I really want to see what this kid is capable of.

I'll take that to mean you've never seen Klein play. At all.

Klein is probably the best skater on the team, is positionally sound, and, relative to Zanon, is Paul Coffey offensively. He's a much better stickhandler and shooter, and is also an effective open-ice hitter, which is something we really lacked on the blue line last year (partially through the absence of Weber for much of the year) and something that Zanon has yet to really provide.

I would much, much, MUCH rather have Klein on our 3rd pairing than Zanon. Zanon has reached his developmental peak. Klein has all the makings of a top three defenseman who may be able to replace Hamhuis at some point. Of course, we won't know and neither will the coaching staff unless he gets more ice time.

I think this arguement is way overblown sorduf like Zidlicky sucks at Defense got way overblown. When Zanon layed down he accomplished what he set out to do I'd say 95 percent of the time. It's just the other 5 percent of the time when it doesnt work it looks really bad because he takes his self out the play. Defense in the NHl as become heavily leaned towards the collapsing system. Cluttering all the shooting lanes in front of the net and not letting pucks get through. Zanon is the perfect player for that style.

Yeah Klein is a ton more talented but Zanon might fit more what the preds are looking for.

I think Klein needs to play in more games this year than Zanon. My preference would be to adjust the lineup based on the opponents (when we need to clog the lanes and block shots vs. dynamic more open style -- if we ever play it) and use Zanon only where he helps more or injuries dictate. I think Klein is a definite upgrade in potential and versatility over Zanon and this team needs all the dynamic help it can get without Rads up front. I would prefer to see more of a 52-30 spilt between them.

I think this arguement is way overblown sorduf like Zidlicky sucks at Defense got way overblown. When Zanon layed down he accomplished what he set out to do I'd say 95 percent of the time. It's just the other 5 percent of the time when it doesnt work it looks really bad because he takes his self out the play. Defense in the NHl as become heavily leaned towards the collapsing system. Cluttering all the shooting lanes in front of the net and not letting pucks get through. Zanon is the perfect player for that style.

Yeah Klein is a ton more talented but Zanon might fit more what the preds are looking for.

Zanon's shot blocking is fine for 5v5, but on the PK he is, more often than not, a liability. I like Zanon, but in this instance, the critique is not overblown. He constantly takes himself out of position on the pk by going down to quickly for the shot block.

As for physicality, Zanon and Klein both hit about the same. With that said, Klein holds up better, IMO, and he also has the ability to hit more. He picks his spots well. I do not think he will ever be smart enough to be a top 2, but I do think he will be a number 4 in this league as soon as this year/next year.

Zanon's shot blocking is fine for 5v5, but on the PK he is, more often than not, a liability. I like Zanon, but in this instance, the critique is not overblown. He constantly takes himself out of position on the pk by going down to quickly for the shot block.

As for physicality, Zanon and Klein both hit about the same. With that said, Klein holds up better, IMO, and he also has the ability to hit more. He picks his spots well. I do not think he will ever be smart enough to be a top 2, but I do think he will be a number 4 in this league as soon as this year/next year.

I think you might be confusing a shot block with blocking a cross ice pass, which he does very effecitvely and way more often especially on the PK. I guess we just see things differently.

Klein is probably the best skater on the team, is positionally sound, and, relative to Zanon, is Paul Coffey offensively. He's a much better stickhandler and shooter, and is also an effective open-ice hitter, which is something we really lacked on the blue line last year (partially through the absence of Weber for much of the year) and something that Zanon has yet to really provide.

I would much, much, MUCH rather have Klein on our 3rd pairing than Zanon. Zanon has reached his developmental peak. Klein has all the makings of a top three defenseman who may be able to replace Hamhuis at some point. Of course, we won't know and neither will the coaching staff unless he gets more ice time.

And I have no problem with:

Weber-Suter
Hamhuis-De Vries
Klein-Koistinen
Zanon

... at all.

Nope, never seen him play. Ever.

Last few times I saw him, he was NOT defensively sound. In fact, he made a few defensive errors. Yeah he's lightyears ahead of Zanon in the offensive and skating department. But that's not what our team needs. We need a solid stay at home vet to play DEFENSE. Zanon plays smart, safe hockey, which is what being the #6 dman is all about.

The thought of Klein and Koistinen paired together for the entire year is somewhat scary. Sounds like a great second PP pairing though.

I see Klein as Devo's replacement after this year on the 2nd pairing. Klein is the future. Unfortunately, the future is not now

Quote:

Originally Posted by predfan24

I think this arguement is way overblown sorduf like Zidlicky sucks at Defense got way overblown. When Zanon layed down he accomplished what he set out to do I'd say 95 percent of the time. It's just the other 5 percent of the time when it doesnt work it looks really bad because he takes his self out the play. Defense in the NHl as become heavily leaned towards the collapsing system. Cluttering all the shooting lanes in front of the net and not letting pucks get through. Zanon is the perfect player for that style.

Yeah Klein is a ton more talented but Zanon might fit more what the preds are looking for.

Pretty much agree with this.

Quote:

Originally Posted by yoda of the chains

I think Klein needs to play in more games this year than Zanon. My preference would be to adjust the lineup based on the opponents (when we need to clog the lanes and block shots vs. dynamic more open style -- if we ever play it) and use Zanon only where he helps more or injuries dictate. I think Klein is a definite upgrade in potential and versatility over Zanon and this team needs all the dynamic help it can get without Rads up front. I would prefer to see more of a 52-30 spilt between them.

Now this brings up a good point. What goal is the coaching staff trying to accomplish this year with our defense? Is the loss of Zidlicky and Radulov that detrimental to our offense that we need to stack up on offensive dmen? If so, then Klein would be perfect.

Or are we sticking the course with a balance of offensive and defensive dmen? I do like the idea of splitting based on who the opponent is. If the opponent is a defensively minded team? Play Klein. Offensively gifted team? Play Zanon.

Are we going for a win now or rebuild attitude?

Zanon is the safe pick. With so many question marks in every single position on this team, we need some safety.

I think you might be confusing a shot block with blocking a cross ice pass, which he does very effecitvely and way more often especially on the PK. I guess we just see things differently.

No, I'm not, and yes, we do see things differently. I like Zanon, but his strength is also one of his biggest weaknesses (similar to Erat's strong puck-control also being one of his biggest weaknesses b/c he doesn't keep his head up while holding on to it...)